March 31, 2016

University of Arkansas Stage For 2016 SEC MBA Case Competition

The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas will host the 2016 SEC MBA Case Competition, April 7-9

By: Bryant Welbourne
SECU (Twitter: @TheSECU)

The University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business will host the fourth SEC MBA Case Competition, April 7-9, in Fayetteville. Teams of four MBA students representing each SEC university will compete to resolve an issue provided by Henkel Corporation, this year’s case developer.

“The SEC MBA Case Competition is one to watch,” said Dr. Matthew Waller, Interim Dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. “These teams are sharp, quick and can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the nation. I am proud to host our fellow SEC member universities at Walton College for the fourth annual competition.”

The 14 SEC teams will be divided into four divisions and will have 24 hours to develop a solution to a simulated issue facing Henkel, a multinational company that produces consumer and industrial products in the laundry and home, beauty care, and adhesive technologies sectors. The teams will present their solutions to judges, including Henkel executives, and the best team from each division will advance to the finals.

“This is a live, strategic competition where the students have less than 24 hours to solve a business problem and develop a plan,” said Dr. Brian Gray, Interim Dean of the Culverhouse College of Commerce at the University of Alabama. “We want to keep it as real as possible for the students and in line with what they will actually experience in their careers.”

Awards will be given for first, second, third and fourth place finishers, highlighted by a traveling trophy to the winning team. Additional awards will be presented to individuals in each division for Best Q&A and Best Presentation. The University of Florida has won each of the first three competitions.

“Students work very hard, pulling an all-nighter, to go through what is typically a very broad case to come up with creative solutions,” said Jason Rife, Associate Director of MBA Services for the Hough Graduate School of Business at the University of Florida.

The SEC MBA Case Competition is part of SECU, the academic initiative of the Southeastern Conference. SECU provides support for the academic endeavors and achievements of students and faculty at the SEC’s 14 member universities.